'''Brienne of Tarth''', is the only daughter and heiress of Lord Selwyn of Evenfall Hall; she had three siblings, none of which survived childhood. Larger and stronger than most men, Brienne is a skilled warrior and longs to be a knight. She has an awkward personality, but is also honest and stubborn. She holds a naïvely idealized notion of [[knight]]hood despite the insults she receives from many knights, who call her "Brienne the Beauty" to mock her ugliness. She is also known as "Brienne, the Maid of Tarth". Although [[House Tarth]] exists, it is unclear whether Brienne and her father are a part of this house or merely from the island of [[Tarth]].

'''Brienne Tarth''',{{ref|AWOIAF| Brienne Tarth}} commonly called '''Brienne of Tarth''' after her [[Tarth|island home]],{{ref|ACOK|22}} is the only living child and heir of Lord [[Selwyn Tarth]] of [[Evenfall Hall|Evenfall]].{{ref|acok|appendix}} Brienne is sometimes called '''the Maid of Tarth'''{{ref|ASOS|72}} and mocked as '''Brienne the Beauty'''.{{ref|AFFC|14}} In the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' she is portrayed by [[w:Gwendoline Christie|Gwendoline Christie]].

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Brienne is abnormally large and strong for a woman, and exceeds most men in size. She has large, very blue eyes that appear trusting and guileless, but they are her only attractive feature. She is extremely broad-shouldered, but has virtually no bust. Her face is broad and coarse, with a nose that has been broken several times. Her mouth is too wide, with prominent and crooked teeth and lips so so plump they seem swollen. Her hair is the color of dirty straw and her face is mottled with freckles.

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==Appearance and Character==

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:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Brienne of Tarth|Images of Brienne of Tarth]]''

Brienne is unfeminine in appearance and is considered unattractive by [[Westeros]]i standards.{{ref|ACOK|22}} She is tall, muscular, flat-chested, and ungainly,{{ref|ACOK|22}} with long, shoulder-length brittle straw-colored hair{{ref|AFFC|4}} and broad, coarse features that are covered in freckles. Brienne's teeth are prominent and crooked. Her mouth is wide, her lips are swollen, and her nose has been broken more than once.{{ref|ACOK|22}} She has large, beautiful blue eyes.{{ref|ACOK|45}}{{ref|ASOS|1}}

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Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] is surprised to learn, as they fight, that Brienne is stronger than him.{{ref|ASOS|21}} When asked about her height, [[George R. R. Martin]] replied:

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{{Quote|Brienne is well over six feet tall, but not close to seven, no. Just off the top of my head, I would say Brienne is taller than [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]] and Jaime and significantly heavier than either, but nowhere near the size of [[Gregor Clegane]], who is the true giant in [[A Song of Ice and Fire|the series]]. Shorter than [[Hodor]] and the [[Jon Umber|Greatjon]], maybe a bit shorter than the [[Sandor Clegane|Hound]], maybe roughly the same height as [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]].''<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1147/ Brienne of Tarth], January 31, 2001</ref>}}

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Brienne has spent most of her life as the object of scorn, rejection and—at best—pity. When she tried to dress and act like a proper lady, she was met with mockery and disdain for her unattractive appearance and lack of feminine social graces; when she turned to a career more suited to her talents as a warrior, she received only contempt and resentment for her gender despite her considerable skill.{{ref|AFFC|9}} Perhaps because of this background, Brienne is as awkward in personality as she is in appearance. While Lady [[Maege Mormont|Maege]] and [[Dacey Mormont]] have found respect and acceptance as female warriors{{ref|ASOS|45}}, Brienne yearns for respect and acceptance from others, and easily gives her love and loyalty to the few people who treat her with any degree of genuine courtesy.{{ref|ACOK|39}}{{ref|AFFC|1}}

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Brienne can be headstrong and judgmental, but she is also honest, straightforward, loyal and determined. Although she has received poor treatment from most [[knight]]s, Brienne clings to a naively idealized concept of knighthood. Despite—or perhaps because of—the fact that she has no expectation of ever being recognized by society for her accomplishments, she nevertheless strives to live up to the ideal of a [[true knight]] at all times.{{ref|AFFC|31}}

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Brienne's dented steel armor is a brilliant, deep blue cobalt. She wears a velvet doublet quartered rose-and-azure, breeches and boots and a fine-tooled swordbelt. Her horse is barded with the quartered sun-and-moon heraldry of [[House Tarth]].{{ref|ACOK|22}} Brienne wields a blunt morningstar during melees.{{ref|ACOK|22}}

==History==

==History==

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Brienne won a position in the [[Rainbow Guard]] of [[Renly Baratheon]], with whom she was infatuated. She was present when he was murdered, and was falsely accused of the crime. She fled with and entered the service of [[Catelyn Stark]]. At the Tully castle of [[Riverrun]], Catelyn ordered Brienne to escort the imprisoned [[Jaime Lannister]] to [[King's Landing]], hoping to exchange him for Catelyn's captive daughters.

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Brienne was born the eldest daughter of Lord [[Selwyn Tarth]], Lord of [[Evenfall Hall]], on the island of [[Tarth]]. Her mother died when she was so young that she does not remember her.{{ref|ACOK|45}} She had a single older brother, [[Galladon Tarth|Galladon]], who drowned when he was eight and she was four, and two younger sisters, both of whom died in the cradle.{{ref|affc|31}} This makes her the only living offspring of Lord Selwyn, a fact that naturally encouraged him to find a suitable match for her. Given her ugly and ungainly appearance and attitude, however, the task was a difficult one, especially since Brienne was bent on a martial life rather than a marital one, more comfortable with a sword than in the company of court society. She was tutored by her [[septa]], [[Roelle]], and had the equivalent of a knight's training by a master-at-arms, Ser [[Goodwin]].{{ref|affc|9}}{{ref|affc|20}}

Brienne's father successfully found three men willing to betroth her, though all the betrothals fell through. A younger son of Lord [[Bryen Caron]] was Brienne's first betrothed. They met only once, on the occasion of their betrothal, when she was seven and he was ten. The boy died two years later from a chill, along with his father, mother and sisters. Had he not died, Brienne would have been wed to him within the year of her first flowering.{{ref|AFFC|4}} The second betrothal was to Ser [[Ronnet Connington]], who was six years older than her. On their meeting, Red Ronnet gave her a rose, and told her it was all she would have of him, breaking the betrothal as he felt she was a "freak".{{ref|aFfC|27}} The last man Brienne was betrothed to, Ser [[Humfrey Wagstaff]], warned her he would insist she act like "a proper woman" once they were wed. Though only sixteen, Brienne replied she would only accept such a demand from a man who could beat her in combat. In the effort, Humfrey ended up with three broken bones and a broken betrothal.{{ref|AFFC|9}}

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After that, Lord Selwyn stopped trying to arrange a marriage for Brienne.{{ref|AFFC|9}} Brienne's only positive encounter with a man occurred when [[House Tarth]]'s liege, Lord [[Renly Baratheon]], visited their island during his [[Customs#Age of majority|coming of age]] tour. He crossed paths with Brienne and treated her courteously, and she fell in love with him.{{ref|AFFC|4}} Sometime later, Lord Selwyn sent her to [[Storm's End]].{{ref|ACOK|42}}

When [[Renly Baratheon]] declares himself [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms|king]] at [[Highgarden]], Brienne joins him in his march to [[King's Landing]].{{ref|aCoK|22}} She also attends his marriage to [[Margaery Tyrell]], which greatly saddens her.{{ref|aFfC|31}} In Renly's camp, Brienne is continuously mocked. Some of the young knight's wager on who will be the first to get her [[maidenhead]], until Lord [[Randyll Tarly]] puts an end to it, warning Brienne that her presence is the cause of the problem.{{ref|aFfC|14}}

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Later in the march, Brienne proves her mettle with a morningstar in a [[melee at Bitterbridge]], defeating Ser [[Loras Tyrell]], the Knight of Flowers, as well as many of her mocking suitors. She asks to join the [[Rainbow Guard]] as her prize, becoming Brienne the Blue. She sharply reminds [[Catelyn Stark]] of the courtesy due a king, and is later dismayed when Renly denies the need for an escort for a stroll after the night's feast.{{ref|aCoK|22}}

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At Renly's parley with his brother [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] at the [[Siege of Storm's End (299)|siege of Storm's End]], Brienne is his standard-bearer. After the negotiations fail, she is assigned to do the same in the upcoming clash, riding in the vanguard alongside Loras.{{ref|aCoK|31}} The next day at dawn, she is arming Renly for battle against his brother when a [[shadow assassin|shadow]] enters his tent and assassinates him. Brienne is accused of the murder, but Catelyn is able to convince those present that she is innocent and takes Brienne with her when she flees the camp.{{ref|aCoK|33}}

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When they arrive at [[Riverrun]], Brienne wants to leave to take revenge with Renly's sword on Stannis for Renly's death, but Catelyn convinces Brienne to enter her service instead.{{ref|aCoK|39}} Brienne is present when Lady Stark speaks with the Kingslayer, Ser Jaime Lannister, in his cell, and grants Catelyn her sword when it is asked for.{{ref|aCoK|55}}

At [[Riverrun]], after receiving news that her sons [[Bran Stark|Bran]] and [[Rickon Stark]] have been [[capture of Winterfell|killed]], Catelyn decides to free Ser [[Jaime Lannister]], making Brienne escort him to King's Landing to fulfill the promise made by the [[Hand of the King]], [[Tyrion Lannister]], to return her daughters [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] and [[Arya Stark|Arya]] if the Kingslayer were freed. Ser [[Cleos Frey]], Jaime's cousin, accompanies them as an envoy.{{ref|aSoS|2}}

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Brienne defends Jaime ably. She learns much of his history that is little known to Westeros at large and the two develop a grudging respect for each other. They make for the city by boat, throwing off pursuit from Riverrun when Brienne scales a cliff and rolls boulders onto Ser [[Robin Ryger]]'s pursuing galley,{{ref|aSoS|1}} after which they continue by land. At the [[Inn of the Kneeling Man]], Brienne's wariness prevents the group from taking the [[Husband|innkeeper's]] travel advice, as he is in league with bandits and is attempting to lead them into ambush.{{ref|ASOS|11}}

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Later, they are ambushed by different outlaws on the [[Duskendale road]] near [[Maidenpool]]. Cleos is killed and Jaime tries to escape, dueling Brienne with Cleos's sword. Manacled and out of practice, Jaime cannot defeat Brienne, who holds his head underwater. Their fighting is interrupted by the [[Brave Companions]], however. Four Bloody Mummers beat Brienne, knocking out two of her teeth. The unscrupulous sellswords then chop off Jaime's sword hand.{{ref|asos|21}} His fighting ability gone, Jaime despairs for his life, but Brienne convinces him to live for revenge. In turn, Jaime prevents [[Zollo]], [[Rorge]], and [[Shagwell]], three of the Mummers, from raping Brienne.{{ref|asos|31}} The Brave Companions confiscate Brienne's armor and Renly's sword.{{ref|ASOS|37}}

At [[Harrenhal]], the two share a bath and Jaime reveals he stopped the [[wildfire plot]] of King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] during [[Robert's Rebellion]]. [[Qyburn]] brings her a pink gown, which Jaime thinks she looks ridiculous wearing. Lord [[Roose Bolton]] sends Jaime on his way, but keeps Brienne as [[Vargo Hoat]]'s prize.{{ref|asos|37}} Jaime returns after dreaming of her, however, and rescues her from the bear pit of Harrenhal.{{ref|asos|44}} Brienne bites [[Vargo Hoat]]'s ear,{{ref|ASOS|44}} which leaves him delirious from infection.{{ref|ASOS|62}} [[Steelshanks Walton]] escorts Brienne and Jaime toward King's Landing, and Brienne is shocked when Ser [[Bertram Beesbury]] informs them at [[Brindlewood]] of Catelyn's death in the [[Red Wedding]].{{ref|ASOS|62}}

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After their arrival in King's Landing, the pair are confronted by Ser [[Loras Tyrell]], who still believes Brienne guilty of Renly's regicide. Jaime has Brienne arrested for her own protection,{{ref|asos|62}} and he arranges for Loras to speak to her; this finally dispels Brienne's blame.{{ref|asos|67}}

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Jaime entrusts Brienne with the [[Valyrian steel]] longsword given to him by his father [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]], naming it [[Oathkeeper]]. He sends her to seek the vanished [[Sansa Stark]], to fulfill his promise to Catelyn. As Oathkeeper was forged from the metal of [[Eddard Stark]]'s greatsword, [[Ice]], Brienne is using Stark steel to rescue the Stark girl. Along with this, Jaime gives her two bags full of coin, a mail hauberk, a [[House Lothston|Lothston]] shield, and a letter signed by King [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen I Baratheon]] saying that she is on a royal mission.{{ref|aSoS|72}}

Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] is sent by his sister, Queen [[Cersei Lannister]], to subdue the remaining rebels in the [[riverlands]]. At [[Harrenhal]] he strikes [[Ronnet Connington]] for mocking Brienne.{{ref|AFFC|27}}

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Unbeknownst to Brienne, [[Sansa Stark]] is hiding at the [[Eyrie]] under the assumed name of Alayne Stone with Lord [[Petyr Baelish]].{{ref|AFFC|10}} Brienne searches for Sansa along the [[Rosby road]] in the [[crownlands]], meeting [[Illifer the Penniless]], [[Creighton Longbough]], and [[Shadrich]], although she leaves them behind at the [[Old Stone Bridge]].{{ref|AFFC|4}} She visits the [[Dun Fort]] in [[Duskendale]] and has her shield repainted to the arms of Ser [[Duncan the Tall]]. [[Podrick Payne]], once the squire of Sansa's husband [[Tyrion Lannister]], tries to discretely follow her on the [[Duskendale road]], and Brienne allows the boy to join her quest at the [[Hollard castle]].{{ref|AFFC|9}}

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Brienne's next stop is at [[Maidenpool]], which she only enters with the unwanted aid of Ser [[Hyle Hunt]], one of the knights who had mockingly courted her in Renly's camp. There she finds Lord [[Randyll Tarly]] dispensing justice; he begrudgingly allows her to continue her search. At the [[Stinking Goose]] she meets [[Dick Crabb|Nimble Dick Crabb]], who leads her after a fool, whom she believes is [[Dontos Hollard]], who might have Sansa with him.{{ref|AFFC|14}} Brienne wishes Jaime Lannister had come with her, but realizes his place is with the king.{{ref|aFfC|20}}

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Traveling through [[Crackclaw Point]], the trio arrive at the [[Whispers]], the ruined hall of Nimble Dick's ancestors from [[House Crabb]]. They meet a band of [[Brave Companions]] remnants led by the fool [[Shagwell]], the psychotic jester. Shagwell kills Dick, but Brienne then kills [[Pyg]] and [[Timeon]] with [[Oathkeeper]]. She forces Shagwell to dig a grave for Dick and then kills him as well when the fool turns on her. Hyle joins her party, having followed her from Maidenpool.{{ref|aFfC|20}}

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Following the [[sellsword]]s' information, Brienne heads back to the [[riverlands]] to find [[Sandor Clegane]], who was reported to be with a girl, unbeknownst to her to be [[Arya Stark|the wrong daughter]]. At Maidenpool they join with [[Meribald]], an itinerant septon, who accompanies them to [[Saltpans]]. From there she visits the nearby [[Quiet Isle]], where the [[Elder Brother (Quiet Isle)|Elder Brother]] assures her that the [[Hound]] is dead.{{ref|AFFC|31}}

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At the [[inn at the crossroads]] near the [[Trident]], Brienne encounters another group of former Brave Companions led by [[Rorge]], who has been masquerading as Sandor while raping and murdering in the riverlands. Defending the orphans at the inn, the outnumbered Brienne kills Rorge but is grievously wounded by [[Biter]], who chews the flesh off her cheek.{{ref|aFfC|37}} After [[Gendry]] rescues her from Biter, he and the remaining members of the [[brotherhood without banners]] take her captive, along with Podrick and Hyle. Delirious from the bite, she calls out for Jaime Lannister.{{ref|aFfC|42}}

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The undead [[Catelyn Stark]], now leading the brotherhood as "Lady Stoneheart", does not believe Brienne's explanation of her search for Sansa and instead judges her to be a traitor who is serving [[House Lannister]], due to her sword with a golden lion's head as its pommel, and the letter signed and sealed by King [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen I Baratheon]] stating that Brienne is "about his business".{{Ref|affc|42}} Brienne is given the choice of "sword or noose" — either prove her loyalty by killing Jaime Lannister, or hang. Brienne refuses to choose and is sentenced to hang, along with her two companions, Podrick and Ser Hyle.{{ref|AFFC|42}} According to a semi-canon source, when she sees Podrick choking, she shouts "sword" to save him.{{ref|aFfC|42}}<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/6425/ Miscon Report (June 03, 2012)]</ref>

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===''A Dance with Dragons''===

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Having been spared by the brotherhood, Brienne appears briefly at [[Pennytree]] when Jaime camps there. She asks Jaime to help her save [[Sansa Stark]] from the [[Hound]], claiming they are a day's ride away. She tells Jaime, however, that he must go with her alone, or the Hound will kill Sansa.{{ref|aDwD|48}} Cersei is skeptical when she is informed that her twin, Jaime, disappeared with a woman in the riverlands.{{ref|ADWD|54}}

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==Quotes by Brienne==

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[[File:Brienne of Tarth HBO.jpg|thumb|[[w:Gwendoline Christie|Gwendoline Christie]] as Brienne in ''[[Game of Thrones]]''.]]

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{{Quote|Winter will never come for the likes of us. Should we die in battle, they will surely sing of us, and it's always summer in the songs. In the songs all [[knight]]s are gallant, all maids are beautiful, and the sun is always shining.{{ref|ACOK|22}}|Brienne to [[Catelyn Stark]]}}

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{{Quote|'''Brienne''': Fighting is better than this waiting. You don't feel so helpless when you fight. You have a sword and a horse, sometimes an axe. When you're armored it's hard for anyone to hurt you.<br>'''Catelyn''': [[Knight]]s die in battle.<br>'''Brienne''': As ladies die in childbed. No one sings songs about them.{{ref|ACOK|45}}|Brienne and [[Catelyn Stark]]}}

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{{Quote|[[Sansa Stark|Sansa]], though ... I will find her, my lady, Brienne swore to Lady [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn's]] restless shade. I will never stop looking. I will give up my life if need be, give up my honor, give up all my dreams, but I will find her.{{ref|affc|9}}|thoughts of Brienne}}

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{{Quote|Young or old, a [[true knight]] is sworn to protect those who are weaker than himself, or die in the attempt.{{ref|affc|31}}|thoughts of Brienne}}

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{{Quote|I have to find [[Sansa Stark|her]]. There are others looking, all wanting to capture her and sell her to [[Cersei Lannister|the queen]]. I have to find her first. I promised [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]]. [[Oathkeeper]], he named the sword. I have to try to save her... or die in the attempt.{{ref|AFFC|31}}|Brienne to the [[Elder Brother (Quiet Isle)|Elder Brother]]}}

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{{Quote|[[Brave Companions|Seven]], Brienne thought again, despairing. She had no chance against seven, she knew. No chance, and no choice.{{ref|AFFC|37}}|thoughts of Brienne}}

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==Quotes about Brienne==

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{{Quote|Brienne the Beauty, they name her ... though not to her face, lest they be called upon to defend those words with their bodies.{{ref|ACOK|22}}|[[Colen of Greenpools]] to [[Catelyn Stark]]}}

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{{Quote|I knew Brienne when she was no more than a girl playing at [[Selwyn Tarth|her father]]’s feet in [[Evenfall Hall]], and I knew her still better when the Evenstar sent her here to [[Storm's End]]. She loved [[Renly Baratheon]] from the first moment she laid eyes on him, a blind man could see it.{{ref|aCoK|42}}|[[Cortnay Penrose]] to [[Guyard Morrigen]]}}

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{{Quote|There is a sweet innocence about you, child.{{ref|acok|55}}|[[Catelyn Stark]] to Brienne}}

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{{quote|She is stronger than I am. The realization chilled him.{{ref|ASOS|21}}|thoughts of [[Jaime Lannister]]}}

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{{Quote|The light was so dim that Jaime could scarcely see her, though they stood a scant few feet apart. In this light she could almost be a beauty, he thought. In this light she could almost be a [[knight]].{{ref|ASOS|44}}|dream of [[Jaime Lannister]]}}

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{{Quote|'''Loras''': Draw your sword, woman!<br>'''Jaime''': Best hope she doesn't. Or it's like to be your corpse we carry out. The wench is as strong as [[Gregor Clegane]], though not so pretty.{{ref|asos|62}}|[[Loras Tyrell]] and [[Jaime Lannister]]}}

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{{Quote|Brienne's ugly, and pighead stubborn. But she lacks the wits to be a liar, and she is loyal past the point of sense.{{ref|asos|67}}|[[Jaime Lannister]] to [[Loras Tyrell]]}}

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{{Quote|'''Loras''': [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]] thought she was absurd. A woman dressed in man's mail, pretending to be a [[knight]].<br>'''Jaime''': If he'd ever seen her in pink satin and [[Myr]]ish lace, he would not have complained.<br>'''Loras''': I asked him why he kept her close, if he thought her so grotesque. He said that all his other knights wanted things of him, castles or honors or riches, but all that Brienne wanted was to die for him.{{ref|asos|67}}|[[Loras Tyrell]] and [[Jaime Lannister]]}}

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{{Quote|Blue is a good color on you, my lady. It goes well with your eyes.{{ref|ASOS|72}}|[[Jaime Lannister]] to Brienne}}

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{{Quote|You have a man’s strength in your arms, but your heart is as soft as any maid's. It is one thing to train in the yard with a blunted sword in hand, and another to drive a foot of sharpened steel into a man’s gut and see the light go out of his eyes.{{ref|AFFC|20}}|[[Goodwin]] to Brienne}}

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{{Quote|It is said that [[Selwyn Tarth|your father]] is a good man. If so, I pity him. Some men are blessed with sons, some with daughters. No man deserves to be cursed with such as you.{{ref|AFFC|25}}|[[Randyll Tarly]] to Brienne}}

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{{Quote|The queen remembered the Maid of Tarth, a huge, ugly, shambling thing who dressed in man's mail. [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] would never abandon me for such a creature.{{ref|ADWD|54}}|thoughts of [[Cersei Lannister]]}}

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==Family tree==

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{{Tarth tree}}

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===Descent===

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Previous speculation on Brienne's descent included that Brienne descends from Ser [[Duncan the Tall]], a former [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard|Lord Commander]] of the [[Kingsguard]] during the reign of King [[Aegon V Targaryen]]. An argument often raised was that a shield bearing [[:File:Dunk.png|Duncan's personal arms]] was in the armory at [[Evenfall Hall]], and that Brienne later used these arms while traveling in the [[crownlands]] and [[riverlands]].{{ref|aFfC|9}} Though [[George R. R. Martin]] initially only confirmed that a descendant of Duncan appears in the books,<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]:[http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/US_Signing_Tour_Dayton_OH/ US Signing Tour (Dayton, OH) (November 10, 2005)]</ref><ref>[[So Spake Martin]]:[http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Mysterious_Galaxy_Signing_San_Diego/ Mysterious Galaxy Signing (San Diego, CA) (November 08, 2000)]</ref> in 2016 at Balticon, Martin confirmed Brienne's descent, stating that the exact relation between Duncan and Brienne would be "''revealed in time''".<ref>The Wertzone: [http://thewertzone.blogspot.nl/2016/05/george-rr-martin-confirms-game-of.html George R.R. Martin confirms GAME OF THRONES/SONG OF ICE AND FIRE fan theory (29 May, 2016)]</ref>

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She and Jaime were captured by the [[Brave Companions]], and during their captivity the two developed a grudging respect for each other. After Catelyn's death, Jaime entrusted Brienne with the [[Valyrian steel]] longsword given to him by his [[Tywin Lannister|father]], naming it [[Oathkeeper]], and sent her out to seek the vanished [[Sansa Stark]].

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==External links==

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* [[Brienne of Tarth/Theories]]

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Looking for Sansa, Brienne wandered the [[Riverlands]], where she crossed paths with members of the disbanded [[Brave Companions]]. Using Oathkeeper, Brienne managed to kill Pyg, [[Shagwell]] and Timeon at the Whispers. At a crossroads near the [[Trident]], Brienne fought another group of Brave Companions led by [[Rorge]], who had been masquerading as [[Sandor Clegane]] and ravaging the Saltpans. Brienne killed Rorge, but was grievously wounded by [[Biter]]. After [[Gendry]] rescued her from Biter, he and the remaining [[Brotherhood Without Banners]] took her captive. The undead [[Catelyn Stark]], now leading the Brotherhood as Lady Stoneheart, did not believe Brienne's tale of her search for Sansa, and ordered her to kill Jaime or face execution. Brienne refused to choose and was sentenced to hang. She shouted a single word as she hanged, but no clear confirmation of her death was given and her fate is unknown.

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==References==

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{{References|2}}

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Brienne is one of the very few in Westeros to have current and accurate information about Arya Stark's fate.

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{{POV Characters}}

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{{Rainbow Guard}}

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== References and Sources ==

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{{EnWP|Characters from A Song of Ice and Fire}}

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[[Category:House Tarth]]

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[[Category:Characters from the Stormlands|Tarth, Brienne]]

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[[Category:Collaborators of the Brotherhood Without Banners|Tarth, Brienne]]

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[[Category:House Tully retainers|Tarth, Brienne]]

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[[Category:Members of the Rainbow Guard|Tarth, Brienne]]

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[[Category:Sworn shields|Tarth, Brienne]]

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[[Category:Noblewomen|Tarth, Brienne]]

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[[Category:POV characters|Tarth, Brienne]]

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[[Category:Supporters of Renly Baratheon in the War of the Five Kings|Tarth, Brienne]]

Appearance and Character

Brienne is unfeminine in appearance and is considered unattractive by Westerosi standards.[1] She is tall, muscular, flat-chested, and ungainly,[1] with long, shoulder-length brittle straw-colored hair[9] and broad, coarse features that are covered in freckles. Brienne's teeth are prominent and crooked. Her mouth is wide, her lips are swollen, and her nose has been broken more than once.[1] She has large, beautiful blue eyes.[10][2]

Brienne is well over six feet tall, but not close to seven, no. Just off the top of my head, I would say Brienne is taller than Renly and Jaime and significantly heavier than either, but nowhere near the size of Gregor Clegane, who is the true giant in the series. Shorter than Hodor and the Greatjon, maybe a bit shorter than the Hound, maybe roughly the same height as Robert.[12]

Brienne has spent most of her life as the object of scorn, rejection and—at best—pity. When she tried to dress and act like a proper lady, she was met with mockery and disdain for her unattractive appearance and lack of feminine social graces; when she turned to a career more suited to her talents as a warrior, she received only contempt and resentment for her gender despite her considerable skill.[13] Perhaps because of this background, Brienne is as awkward in personality as she is in appearance. While Lady Maege and Dacey Mormont have found respect and acceptance as female warriors[14], Brienne yearns for respect and acceptance from others, and easily gives her love and loyalty to the few people who treat her with any degree of genuine courtesy.[15][16]

Brienne can be headstrong and judgmental, but she is also honest, straightforward, loyal and determined. Although she has received poor treatment from most knights, Brienne clings to a naively idealized concept of knighthood. Despite—or perhaps because of—the fact that she has no expectation of ever being recognized by society for her accomplishments, she nevertheless strives to live up to the ideal of a true knight at all times.[17]

Brienne's dented steel armor is a brilliant, deep blue cobalt. She wears a velvet doublet quartered rose-and-azure, breeches and boots and a fine-tooled swordbelt. Her horse is barded with the quartered sun-and-moon heraldry of House Tarth.[1] Brienne wields a blunt morningstar during melees.[1]

History

Brienne was born the eldest daughter of Lord Selwyn Tarth, Lord of Evenfall Hall, on the island of Tarth. Her mother died when she was so young that she does not remember her.[10] She had a single older brother, Galladon, who drowned when he was eight and she was four, and two younger sisters, both of whom died in the cradle.[17] This makes her the only living offspring of Lord Selwyn, a fact that naturally encouraged him to find a suitable match for her. Given her ugly and ungainly appearance and attitude, however, the task was a difficult one, especially since Brienne was bent on a martial life rather than a marital one, more comfortable with a sword than in the company of court society. She was tutored by her septa, Roelle, and had the equivalent of a knight's training by a master-at-arms, Ser Goodwin.[13][18]

Brienne's father successfully found three men willing to betroth her, though all the betrothals fell through. A younger son of Lord Bryen Caron was Brienne's first betrothed. They met only once, on the occasion of their betrothal, when she was seven and he was ten. The boy died two years later from a chill, along with his father, mother and sisters. Had he not died, Brienne would have been wed to him within the year of her first flowering.[9] The second betrothal was to Ser Ronnet Connington, who was six years older than her. On their meeting, Red Ronnet gave her a rose, and told her it was all she would have of him, breaking the betrothal as he felt she was a "freak".[19] The last man Brienne was betrothed to, Ser Humfrey Wagstaff, warned her he would insist she act like "a proper woman" once they were wed. Though only sixteen, Brienne replied she would only accept such a demand from a man who could beat her in combat. In the effort, Humfrey ended up with three broken bones and a broken betrothal.[13]

After that, Lord Selwyn stopped trying to arrange a marriage for Brienne.[13] Brienne's only positive encounter with a man occurred when House Tarth's liege, Lord Renly Baratheon, visited their island during his coming of age tour. He crossed paths with Brienne and treated her courteously, and she fell in love with him.[9] Sometime later, Lord Selwyn sent her to Storm's End.[20]

Later in the march, Brienne proves her mettle with a morningstar in a melee at Bitterbridge, defeating Ser Loras Tyrell, the Knight of Flowers, as well as many of her mocking suitors. She asks to join the Rainbow Guard as her prize, becoming Brienne the Blue. She sharply reminds Catelyn Stark of the courtesy due a king, and is later dismayed when Renly denies the need for an escort for a stroll after the night's feast.[1]

At Renly's parley with his brother Stannis at the siege of Storm's End, Brienne is his standard-bearer. After the negotiations fail, she is assigned to do the same in the upcoming clash, riding in the vanguard alongside Loras.[21] The next day at dawn, she is arming Renly for battle against his brother when a shadow enters his tent and assassinates him. Brienne is accused of the murder, but Catelyn is able to convince those present that she is innocent and takes Brienne with her when she flees the camp.[22]

When they arrive at Riverrun, Brienne wants to leave to take revenge with Renly's sword on Stannis for Renly's death, but Catelyn convinces Brienne to enter her service instead.[15] Brienne is present when Lady Stark speaks with the Kingslayer, Ser Jaime Lannister, in his cell, and grants Catelyn her sword when it is asked for.[23]

Brienne defends Jaime ably. She learns much of his history that is little known to Westeros at large and the two develop a grudging respect for each other. They make for the city by boat, throwing off pursuit from Riverrun when Brienne scales a cliff and rolls boulders onto Ser Robin Ryger's pursuing galley,[2] after which they continue by land. At the Inn of the Kneeling Man, Brienne's wariness prevents the group from taking the innkeeper's travel advice, as he is in league with bandits and is attempting to lead them into ambush.[25]

Later, they are ambushed by different outlaws on the Duskendale road near Maidenpool. Cleos is killed and Jaime tries to escape, dueling Brienne with Cleos's sword. Manacled and out of practice, Jaime cannot defeat Brienne, who holds his head underwater. Their fighting is interrupted by the Brave Companions, however. Four Bloody Mummers beat Brienne, knocking out two of her teeth. The unscrupulous sellswords then chop off Jaime's sword hand.[11] His fighting ability gone, Jaime despairs for his life, but Brienne convinces him to live for revenge. In turn, Jaime prevents Zollo, Rorge, and Shagwell, three of the Mummers, from raping Brienne.[26] The Brave Companions confiscate Brienne's armor and Renly's sword.[27]

After their arrival in King's Landing, the pair are confronted by Ser Loras Tyrell, who still believes Brienne guilty of Renly's regicide. Jaime has Brienne arrested for her own protection,[28] and he arranges for Loras to speak to her; this finally dispels Brienne's blame.[29]

Jaime entrusts Brienne with the Valyrian steel longsword given to him by his father Tywin, naming it Oathkeeper. He sends her to seek the vanished Sansa Stark, to fulfill his promise to Catelyn. As Oathkeeper was forged from the metal of Eddard Stark's greatsword, Ice, Brienne is using Stark steel to rescue the Stark girl. Along with this, Jaime gives her two bags full of coin, a mail hauberk, a Lothston shield, and a letter signed by King Tommen I Baratheon saying that she is on a royal mission.[7]

Brienne's next stop is at Maidenpool, which she only enters with the unwanted aid of Ser Hyle Hunt, one of the knights who had mockingly courted her in Renly's camp. There she finds Lord Randyll Tarly dispensing justice; he begrudgingly allows her to continue her search. At the Stinking Goose she meets Nimble Dick Crabb, who leads her after a fool, whom she believes is Dontos Hollard, who might have Sansa with him.[8] Brienne wishes Jaime Lannister had come with her, but realizes his place is with the king.[18]

Traveling through Crackclaw Point, the trio arrive at the Whispers, the ruined hall of Nimble Dick's ancestors from House Crabb. They meet a band of Brave Companions remnants led by the fool Shagwell, the psychotic jester. Shagwell kills Dick, but Brienne then kills Pyg and Timeon with Oathkeeper. She forces Shagwell to dig a grave for Dick and then kills him as well when the fool turns on her. Hyle joins her party, having followed her from Maidenpool.[18]

At the inn at the crossroads near the Trident, Brienne encounters another group of former Brave Companions led by Rorge, who has been masquerading as Sandor while raping and murdering in the riverlands. Defending the orphans at the inn, the outnumbered Brienne kills Rorge but is grievously wounded by Biter, who chews the flesh off her cheek.[31] After Gendry rescues her from Biter, he and the remaining members of the brotherhood without banners take her captive, along with Podrick and Hyle. Delirious from the bite, she calls out for Jaime Lannister.[32]

The undead Catelyn Stark, now leading the brotherhood as "Lady Stoneheart", does not believe Brienne's explanation of her search for Sansa and instead judges her to be a traitor who is serving House Lannister, due to her sword with a golden lion's head as its pommel, and the letter signed and sealed by King Tommen I Baratheon stating that Brienne is "about his business".[32] Brienne is given the choice of "sword or noose" — either prove her loyalty by killing Jaime Lannister, or hang. Brienne refuses to choose and is sentenced to hang, along with her two companions, Podrick and Ser Hyle.[32] According to a semi-canon source, when she sees Podrick choking, she shouts "sword" to save him.[32][33]

A Dance with Dragons

Having been spared by the brotherhood, Brienne appears briefly at Pennytree when Jaime camps there. She asks Jaime to help her save Sansa Stark from the Hound, claiming they are a day's ride away. She tells Jaime, however, that he must go with her alone, or the Hound will kill Sansa.[34] Cersei is skeptical when she is informed that her twin, Jaime, disappeared with a woman in the riverlands.[35]

Quotes by Brienne

Winter will never come for the likes of us. Should we die in battle, they will surely sing of us, and it's always summer in the songs. In the songs all knights are gallant, all maids are beautiful, and the sun is always shining.[1]

Brienne: Fighting is better than this waiting. You don't feel so helpless when you fight. You have a sword and a horse, sometimes an axe. When you're armored it's hard for anyone to hurt you.Catelyn: Knights die in battle.Brienne: As ladies die in childbed. No one sings songs about them.[10]

Sansa, though ... I will find her, my lady, Brienne swore to Lady Catelyn's restless shade. I will never stop looking. I will give up my life if need be, give up my honor, give up all my dreams, but I will find her.[13]

—thoughts of Brienne

Young or old, a true knight is sworn to protect those who are weaker than himself, or die in the attempt.[17]

—thoughts of Brienne

I have to find her. There are others looking, all wanting to capture her and sell her to the queen. I have to find her first. I promised Jaime. Oathkeeper, he named the sword. I have to try to save her... or die in the attempt.[17]

Quotes about Brienne

I knew Brienne when she was no more than a girl playing at her father’s feet in Evenfall Hall, and I knew her still better when the Evenstar sent her here to Storm's End. She loved Renly Baratheon from the first moment she laid eyes on him, a blind man could see it.[20]

Loras: Renly thought she was absurd. A woman dressed in man's mail, pretending to be a knight.Jaime: If he'd ever seen her in pink satin and Myrish lace, he would not have complained.Loras: I asked him why he kept her close, if he thought her so grotesque. He said that all his other knights wanted things of him, castles or honors or riches, but all that Brienne wanted was to die for him.[29]

You have a man’s strength in your arms, but your heart is as soft as any maid's. It is one thing to train in the yard with a blunted sword in hand, and another to drive a foot of sharpened steel into a man’s gut and see the light go out of his eyes.[18]